Ballets Russes Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Fascinating, first-class documentary

Modern ballet is arguably one of the more bizarre art forms that people (like those in this film) have dedicated their lives to. But, while you may think a 2-hour documentary like this is for aficionados only, this film is a truly fascinating record of major cultural events and developments that defined Western 20c civilisation and its aspirations on some level.

It's very emotively put together, with a lot of affecting contrasts; and you see what a downright weird bunch these dancers could be. But their passion is fascinating, and their experiences always engaging: even the monsters - and there are many - are, in their own way, interesting. The archive footage is MESMERISING.

In some ways it may seem like a curious blip in history, but really it's well worth viewing.

History comes alive

A fascinating and moving glimpse of the lives of the dancers of the Ballets Russes from the death of Diaghilev to the present. Seeing beautifully preserved clips of the dancers performing as young, elegant stars, and seeing them perform in their eighties and nineties and hearing their wonderful stories cannot but bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.